CARBON

Trees and other plants, like all living things, are made up of carbon. But when forests are cleared or burned, much of that carbon ends up in the atmosphere — similar to burning fossil fuels. This carbon changes the planet’s climate and contributes to rising temperatures, stronger storms, more severe droughts and rising sea levels.

Tropical deforestation accounts for up to 15% of net global carbon emissions each year.

Deforestation is a significant contributor of climate change-causing greenhouse gases. Studies indicate that tropical deforestation accounts for up to 15% of net global carbon emissions each year.1 That’s about the same as every car, truck, bus, plane, ship and train on the planet combined.2 That’s because nearly 70,000 acres of tropical forest are lost every day.3 But if you prevent deforestation, all that carbon remain safely stored away in the forests. So by protecting forests, Rainforest Trust prevents deforestation — and by doing so, prevents emissions.

Halting tropical deforestation and allowing for regrowth could mitigate up to 50% of net global emissions through 2050.

But preventing deforestation doesn’t just prevent emissions. Studies have shown that halting tropical deforestation and allowing for regrowth could mitigate up to 50% of net global emissions through 2050.1 By protecting habitat for endangered species, Rainforest Trust prevents carbon emissions and safeguards the planet’s resilience to climate change. We’ve already protected 19.6 million acres around the world and we’re not slowing down.

The carbon stored in these acres adds up. Two of our flagship projects in Peru, the Sierra del Divisor project and the Airo Pai Community Reserve project, store the equivalent of over 1 billion and 292 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, respectively. Together, that’s equal to the yearly emissions of 275 million cars in the United States.4

You can have an impact.

You can have an impact by helping to fund current projects storing vast amounts of carbon. Just $10 dollars donated towards Rainforest Trust’s Rungan River Peat Swamp project in Borneo can protect 5 acres and approximately 3,675 metric tons of carbon dioxide. If released into the atmosphere, that would be equal to the yearly carbon dioxide released by 781 U.S. cars.

All those emissions, prevented through a $10 donation.

Millions and millions of tons of carbon are stored in our projects around the world. Imagine the impact you could have on this world by ensuring that critical habitat for endangered species is protected and the carbon held within is kept there forever — all for little more than a morning latte. Please consider a donation today to our Conservation Action Fund which helps to support our most urgent projects around the world.